Phoenix Women Indicted for Stealing Checks at Friendly House

(Phoenix, Ariz. – Jan. 14, 2008) Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced the indictment of Julie Ann Perez, 47, of Phoenix, on one count of fraud and four counts of theft, and Virginia Isla Kathleen Tudor, 22, of Phoenix, on one count of fraud and three counts of theft. The defendants are charged with stealing over $198,000 from the Friendly House, a Phoenix community-based organization.

Perez was arraigned in Maricopa County Superior Court today. Tudor was arraigned late last year.

According to the indictment, Perez and Tudor systematically stole checks made out to Friendly House from the Arizona Department of Economic Security between December 2006 and January 2007 and converted the funds for their own personal use.

If convicted of all charges, Perez faces up to 35.75 years in prison, and Tudor faces up to 57 years in prison.

The indictments are the result of a joint investigation with the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant Attorney General Andrei Cherny is prosecuting this case. A copy of the indictment is attached.